Essay Questions

How does Makina's trip to the USA help the author develop the theme of individuality?

Makina is sent by her mother, Core, to search for her brother a deliver a note to him, which requests him to return to Mexico. Makina's brother left for the USA to claim their land that had been in dispute for a while. When Makina is helped by friends to get to the USA illegally, she searches for her brother for a bit and, at last, manages to find him. Makina delivers her note to him, but he refuses to return to Mexico. As at this time, Makina's brother had assimilated into the American culture, and he was working as a soldier residing in the army barracks. Makina is keen on preserving her culture, and she gets angry at how people do things that are entirely the contrast of her traditions. Makina's brother abandoned his Mexican culture to get opportunities in the USA, which creates an identity crisis for him because he does not want to go back to Mexico. Additionally, the identity crisis makes Makina's brother lose focus in life.

What is the symbolic connotation of the switchboard that is controlled by Makina in the village?

Makina is the most intelligent person in the village, and she is tasked with controlling the switchboard. The switchboard is vital in relaying three different languages in the village to ensure that people are connected. Therefore, the switchboard is emblematic because it embodies the connection of people despite the language barriers. The switchboard also symbolizes the Mexican people's culture in the village because they rely on the switchboard despite the advancement in communication technology.

Why are the Mexicans in America taking the lowest ladder of jobs, which the Americans are not interested in doing?

When Makina arrives in the United States of America to search for her brother, she is treated with a rude shock when she realizes that most Mexicans are doing manual jobs, mostly considered dirty. Her investigation into this issue reveals that racism is rampant in the United States, and that is why most Mexicans cannot access decent jobs. Immigrants are poorly treated because of their color. The predominant whites believe that they are superior to any other person. Discrimination is on the rise, making the minority groups miss essential services search as good health and education.